What is the Mini Cooper Electric Range? (2024)

The new Cooper EV (or what Mini calls the Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop 2 Door) still has the same design as the old one. Instead Mini focused their energy on the interior and put Mini’s classic design into a more modern and spacious cabin.

The redesigned dashboard has a circular OLED infotainment display where you can control Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Spotify. Below that is a row of toggle switches for frequently used controls like the climate system. Behind the fabricdash pad are LEDs that change color depending on ambient temperature and on the driving mode and infotainment theme.

Cooper E vs Cooper SE

The 2025 Mini Cooper comes in two trims: the Cooper E and the Cooper SE. The difference is in the electric motor and battery size.

A single 135 kW (184 horsepower) electric motor and a 40.7 kWh battery power the Cooper E. This setup gives the Cooper E a range of around 190 miles on the WLTP cycle. It’s designed to be a balance of performance and efficiency for daily urban driving.

The Cooper SE ups the ante with a more powerful 160 kilowatt (218 horsepower) electric motor and a bigger 54.2kilowatt-hour battery. This setup not only gives more performance (0-62mph in 6.7 seconds) but also more range (250 miles on the WLTP cycle). The Cooper SE is for those who want a bit more power and need that extra range for longer trips.

Charging

Both the new Cooper E and SE have an 11-kilowatt onboard charger so overnight home charging is an option. Level 1 chargers use a standard 120-volt household outlet and are suitable for overnight charging, providing around 4 miles of range per hour. Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt outlet and offer faster charging, providing up to 60 miles of range per hour. For quicker top-ups the Cooper E can do up to 75 kW of DC fast charging and the SE can do up to 95 kW. So you can charge а new car from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes at a fast charging station and be back on the road.

Range and Battery Life

The new generation Cooper E has a 28.9 kWh battery pack and the Cooper SE has a 58.4 kWh battery pack. The bigger battery gives the SE a range of around 200 miles per charge. This range makes the Cooper SE good for longer drives and reduces the need for frequent recharging. The Cooper E, with its smaller battery, is more suitable for shorter commutes and urban driving.

Mini Cooper Electric Range Factors

• Driving Style: Aggressive acceleration and high speeds will reduce your EV’s range. A more relaxed driving style will help you get the most out of a single charge.

• Battery Pack Size: The size of the battery pack determines the range. The Cooper E’s 40.7 kWh battery has a shorter range compared to the Cooper SE’s 54.2 kWh battery. The extra capacity in the SE not only gives more range but also more performance metrics.

• Weather Conditions: Extreme temperatures (hot and cold) will affect battery performance and range. Using climate control systems (heating and air conditioning) will also drain the battery and reduce range.

• Real-world vs Manufacturer’s Claimed Range: While manufacturers give an estimated range based on lab tests, real-world conditions will vary. Factors like terrain, weather, and load will affect the actual range. But the claimed ranges for the Cooper E and SE are a good benchmark for what to expect in normal driving conditions.

Extras

The brand new Mini Cooper EVs come with a range of driver assistance features to make life safer and more convenient. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection. The Cooper SE has additional options like adaptive cruise control and head-up display so your driving experience is not only safer but more fun.

Getting the Most Out of the Electric Mini Range

An Electric Car for City-dwellers

The Mini Cooper EVs are more suited for city living. They’re perfect for city streets and parking in small spaces. The instant torque from the electric motor is great for stop-and-go traffic and the range is more than enough for a typical city commute.

Charging at Home

The Mini Electric comes with a complimentary Level 1 J1772 charger that you can plug-in at home. However, it can only charge at 10 amps, which translates to just about 4 miles of range per hour of charging. Third-party EV chargers such as the Lectron Portable Level 1 J1772 EV Charger can charge cars at up to 15 amps or 40-50 miles overnight.

If you want faster charging times, you can opt for a Level 2 charging station, either the plug-in type or the hardwired type. Portable Level 2 chargers can charge at 40 amps, while hardwired charging stations such as the Lectron V-Box Pro max out at 48 amps.

In October 2023, the BMW Group, Mini's parent company, announced it is adapting Tesla's North American Charging Standard (NACS) in its future EVs. The Mini Electric currently uses the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) for fast charging, but this development will open up the Tesla Supercharging network to the succeeding generations of the model. While you won't see a NACS-equipped Mini Cooper just yet, current owners can expect Tesla allow access to its Superchargers using a NACS to CCS adapter. However, Superchargers Open to NACS are currently limited to Ford and Rivian EVs.

EV Adapters

EV adapters are essential for ensuring compatibility between your Mini Cooper EV and various charging stations. These adapters allow you to connect to different types of chargers, including those using different plug standards. For instance, a J1772 adapter enables Mini Cooper EVs to use J1772 chargers commonly found at public stations. Similarly, adapters for Tesla Superchargers will be increasingly important as charging infrastructure evolves.

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